Beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, the ramps that carry traffic from Route 65 in both directions and Deer Run Road to southbound I-79 will close to traffic continuously through early March as crews conduct paint containment system installation. All ramp traffic will be detoured.
Posted Detour – Northbound and Southbound Route 65
- From northbound and southbound Route 65, follow the signs to northbound I-79 toward Erie
- Turn on to Kilbuck Street
- From Kilbuck Street, take the ramp to northbound I-79
- From northbound I-79, take the Mt. Nebo (Exit 68) off-ramp
- Turn left onto Mt. Nebo Road
- Turn left onto the ramp to southbound I-79
- Follow southbound I-79 back to the Neville Island Bridge
- End detour
Posted Detour – Deer Run Road
- Follow Deer Run Road eastbound past the closed ramp
- Turn left onto Kilbuck Street
- From Kilbuck Street, take the ramp to northbound I-79
- From northbound I-79, take the Mt. Nebo (Exit 68) off-ramp
- Turn left onto Mt. Nebo Road
- Turn left onto the ramp to southbound I-79
- Follow southbound I-79 back to the Neville Island Bridge
- End detour
Alternate Detour – Northbound and Southbound Route 65
- From Route 65, turn onto the Sewickley Bridge
- Turn left onto Route 51 and follow through Coraopolis
- Take the ramp to southbound I-79
- End detour
The closing of the ramps will allow the contractor to safely close the ramp acceleration lane and shoulder on the Neville Island Bridge in the southbound direction. The installation of the metal pans as part of the overhead suspension paint containment system needs to be completed in the daylight hours for the safety of workers and motorists.
Off-duty uniformed police officers will be staged at various locations along the detour route.
A second closure of the ramps will occur later this fall. Additional details will be provided in advance of the closures.
The $43 million I-79 Neville Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project includes structural steel repairs, full structure painting, bearing and deck joint replacements, deck repairs and overlays, bridge barrier repair, substructure concrete work and drainage improvements. The project also includes concrete roadway reconstruction, guide rail replacement and preservation work on four sign structures. Additionally, preservation work will occur on the I-79 bridge over Deer Run Road, north of the Neville Island Bridge. Motorists will see ramp closures and single-lane and shoulder closures in each direction on I-79 during daylight off-peak and overnight hours. Other traffic impacts include four southbound weekend closures in 2022. The overall project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.
The Trumbull Corporation is the prime contractor.
To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for the I-79 Neville Island Bridge rehabilitation including traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – I-79” in the subject line.
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